1940’s-1950’s rarer label/style all-cotton Hawaiian teatimer midi dress, tagged Kilohana. A few edge flaws/a repair I have magnified, but fabric is still in excellent condition; strong, with no fades from weathering nor wear.

Slips on, frog closure at keyhole neck. Colors are red and off-white, with medium blue trim in a lovely vertically-cascading floral print.

Fitted chest with a relaxed slightly A-line cut.

Fits XS-S:
Measurements:
35” chest;
36” waist;
42” hip;
43” long from back neck seam.

(Googled, from University of Hawaii)
“In the Hawaiian language, Kilohana means the top layer of fabric for bedding. This top layer was beautifully decorated kapa , the fabric used before imported materials were introduced to the islands. Over time, the word came to mean superior, best, or excellent, as only the Kilohana was decorated; all the other layers had no dye or decoration. Kilohana can also mean “high point” or lookout. At first the two definitions may seem unrelated, but they are actually closely related. The first definition is an intellectual (mental) high point; the other is a literal (physical) high point.”

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This item is sold from an excellent, highly rated vintage boutique in Southern California.